TORONTO -- Initial indications from Jason Kubel to the Twins were that the veteran outfielder wouldn't be willing to accept a minor-league assignment should he clear waivers.

Kubel, designated for assignment Sunday to make room for Kendrys Morales, is still due $1.26 million of his $2 million guaranteed base salary.

Kubel already has collected $300,000 in roster bonuses, so the Twins stand to be on the hook for $2.3 million total unless they find a taker for him during the 10-day DFA period. Kubel slugged just .295 in 176 plate appearances.

The Twins do save up to $700,000 in combined roster and plate-appearance bonuses by removing Kubel from their roster now.

Kubel was due a $200,000 roster bonus on June 28, and another $500,000 in bonuses would have kicked in at 300 plate appearances.

BRIEFLY

Switch-hitting Twins center fielder Danny Santana planned to hit lefty against Toronto knuckleballer R.A. Dickey, saying he hasn't felt comfortable from the right side in a while. Santana is just 10 days removed from suffering a cut on his left eyelid that required seven stitches to close. He recalled facing knuckleballer Charlie Haeger twice last season in Double-A. From the left side, Santana recalled multiple strikeouts. From the right side, he recalled banging out a couple of hits, but he still led off Monday's game with a home run while batting lefty.

Advertisement

Center fielder Aaron Hicks was not in the starting lineup for a second straight day after tweaking his right shoulder making a diving catch to end Saturday's game. Throwing was still an issue for Hicks, manager Ron Gardenhire said, but the outfielder was available to pinch run and possibly even pinch hit.

Right-hander Mike Pelfrey (elbow) saw Dr. James Andrews in Gulf Breeze, Fla., on Monday as scheduled, but the Twins would have no further information until after Dr. Andrews consulted with Twins medical director Dr. John Steubs. It's possible Pelfrey might require a second ulnar nerve-transposition surgery on his right elbow, but a second Tommy John surgery isn't feared at this point, assistant general manager Rob Antony said.

Trey Vavra, the Twins' 33rd-round pick, has agreed to terms. The first baseman/corner outfielder from Florida Southern University received the standard $1,000 signing bonus for seniors lacking leverage. Trey Vavra is a full two years younger than older brother Tanner Vavra, playing second base at Class A Cedar Rapids after the Twins took him in the 30th round out of Valparaiso last June.

Outfielder Sam Fuld (post-concussion) had Monday off as he traveled from Binghamton, N.Y., to Reading, Pa., with the rest of the Double-A New Britain club. Fuld is 2 for 6 with a walk and a double through the first two games of his rehab assignment.

Twins general manager Terry Ryan handled the entire Morales negotiation with agent Scott Boras from start to finish, assistant GM Rob Antony said. Ryan made the first call to gauge Morales' interest last Wednesday. Three days later, a deal had been struck.

Ryan, who recently spent several days scouting the Twins' Class A affiliate in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, could follow the big-league club for the first time this year on a road trip against the Los Angeles Angels and Texas Rangers (June 24-29). "He's got that spark back and that fire back," Antony said. "Seems like the same old Terry."